Lotter was later betrayed by Nissen, who made a deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty by testifying that Lotter had fired the death bullets into all three victims. However, Nissen reportedly recanted in 2007 and said it was he who shot them, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.

Lotter appealed his conviction, claiming - among other things - that Nissen was threatened with torture to coerce him into placing the blame on Lotter. However, his appeal was rejected by the Nebraska Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court of Nebraska, and finally the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in August.

Although the three-judge panel was split in its decision, the Eighth Circuit also refused a hearing by the full court in October.

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About U.S. Eighth Circuit

U.S. Eighth Circuit features news and information from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, which hears appeals from U.S. District Courts in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. This blog also features news that would be of interest to legal professionals practicing in the 8th Circuit. Have a comment or tip? Write to us.